People who need treatment for orthopedic injuries and conditions will soon have a new and improved place to go in South Florida. The Miami HEAT Sports Medicine Center at Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute broke ground today at a special event held at Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables, Fla.

Scheduled to open in summer 2019 in a four-story facility adjacent to the hospital, The Miami HEAT Sports Medicine Center will house all of the Institute’s orthopedic specialties, including adult and pediatric orthopedic treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, hip- and knee-replacements, orthopedic trauma and athletic training. An outpatient surgery center will be located on the top floor.

(The Baptist Health News Team hears from Pat Riley, president of the Miami HEAT, Nelson Lazo, CEO of Doctors Hospital, and others about The Miami HEAT Sports Medicine Center at Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute. Video by Steve Pipho)

“This unparalleled partnership will make an incredible difference in the future of our Institute and in the expert care provided to our patients and the community,” said Nelson Lazo, chief executive officer of Doctors Hospital and Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute, both part of Baptist Health South Florida.

The multi-year partnership is the first of its kind for the two organizations. Both are known for promoting wellness and prevention in the South Florida community.

“Throughout our history, Miami HEAT players and staffers have experienced world-class care by the industry-leading medical team at Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute,” said Jeff David, executive vice president and chief revenue officer of The HEAT Group. “Our long-standing and fruitful partnership with Baptist Health has produced The Miami HEAT Sports Medicine Center, which will be a guardian of our community’s health and committed to excellence at every level.”

The Institute has served the Miami HEAT, among many other athletic organizations, for more than 30 years.

“This relationship is about the future and what’s going on in the present moment and will be something the HEAT and Baptist Health will be doing for years,” said Pat Riley, president of the Miami HEAT.

“This is a true team effort between the Miami HEAT and our hospital and Institute,” said Joe Natoli, chief administrative officer at Baptist Health. “Through its philanthropy, the Miami HEAT will help the Institute doctors and their supporting staff continue to pioneer innovations in orthopedic medicine and stay on top of the latest developments in healthcare to fix problems patients have today and educate the next generation of sports medicine specialists to care for patients in the future.”

In addition to serving as a hub for orthopedic care, Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute serves as a clinical trial site for new orthopedic surgery techniques, novel implants, genetically-engineered cartilage and bone and revolutionary biologics.

“It’s an honor to serve the Miami HEAT for the last 31 years as their doctor,” added Harlan Selesnick, M.D., orthopedic surgeon at Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute and Miami HEAT team physician. “This new type of partnership being announced today is important for the many patients we treat – many of whom are not pro athletes – in making them feel special and comfortable.”

The Baptist Health South Florida News Team was at the groundbreaking event to capture the exciting announcement. Watch the video now.